A total of twelve teams contested the league, consisting of ten who competed in the previous season and two promoted from the 1. divisjon.

[2] As winners, Røa qualified for the Round of 32 of the 2010–11 UEFA Women's Champions League as the sole representative from Norway.

[3] Because Norway had dropped to ninth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings for 2010–11,[4] the runners-up in the Toppserien could no longer enter the qualifying round of the Champions League, as had been the case in the previous season.

[5] On 27 October, the Football Association of Norway penalized Fløya for their use of two ineligible players in the league and Norwegian Cup.

[6] The players, both acquired before the start of the season, were fielded in thirteen and nine matches respectively before it was discovered that the club had not registered the transfers properly.